After Electrolux, the Tian Meng Ice Silkworm also fell silent.
Although Xu Zihuang's original sea of consciousness had not expanded, it was now filled with life energy so dense it was nearly substantial due to the Living Gold. His originally golden sea of consciousness had transformed into a vibrant green, overflowing with vigorous vitality.
These life energies would gradually integrate into Xu Zihuang's body over time. During this period, the Tian Meng Ice Silkworm could fully utilize this rich life energy to condense and stabilize its own spiritual consciousness.
This would bring immense benefits. Once its spiritual body grew strong and stable enough, it could even take human form, just like Old Yi, and temporarily leave Xu Zihuang's body to act independently.
Of course, this was closely tied to Xu Zihuang's spiritual power realm and cultivation level. For the Tian Meng Ice Silkworm to achieve this, Xu Zihuang would need at least the cultivation of a Title Douluo and a tangible, materialized level of spiritual power.
Ever since the most primordial power fused with Xu Zihuang, the Tian Meng Ice Silkworm had become completely bound to him. One prospers together, one suffers together.
The third-floor master bedroom of the small building was far less spacious than those in grand hotels, but it had been tidied up by Ye Guyi to be extremely clean and tidy, with a refreshing and heart-soothing fragrance permeating the air. Under the soft, warm-toned soul guidance lighting, the room felt exceptionally cozy.
The two sat facing each other at a wooden table carved with simple yet elegant patterns. Through the nearby wooden window, they could see the green vines hanging over the courtyard. Influenced by the faint traces of overflowing life energy, those vines had become even more verdant.
Ye Guyi poured Xu Zihuang a cup of fragrant, warm black tea, then rested her chin on her jade-like hand, gazing at him silently with a smiling expression.
Xu Zihuang couldn't help but pick up the exquisite porcelain cup and take a light sip. Facing Ye Guyi's intense stare, he managed to stay composed at first, but as time passed, it started to feel a little unsettling.
They had recognized each other for nearly a year now, and Ye Guyi had initiated many overly intimate actions. He knew she harbored unusual feelings for him, yet there remained a barrier in his heart.
The dependence and closeness from their childhood, combined with the attraction that the now-adult Ye Guyi gradually evoked in him after their reunion ten years apart, made his emotions extremely complicated when facing her.
He trusted Ye Guyi completely. Their relationship held no schemes or ulterior motives, only pure sincerity. It was an affection that began as familial love but had begun to change.
"Sister Lingyi, have you ever tried that method of fusing a spirit through an equality contract with a soul beast?" Xu Zihuang asked somewhat unnaturally, trying to ease the slightly delicate atmosphere.
Ye Guyi smiled and shook her head.
"Soul beasts and soul masters are innately opposed. By the time my spiritual power was strong enough to perform that kind of contract, I was already above Soul King level. To fuse a spirit, I would need at least a ten-thousand-year soul beast. Beasts at that level possess considerable intelligence. How could they willingly fuse with me? But your situation with that Ice Silkworm fits the conditions perfectly. You might just make history."
A million-year spirit.
Talking about serious matters, Xu Zihuang's expression grew solemn as he focused his mind. His original plan was to have the Tian Meng Ice Silkworm become his seventh spirit ring. By then, his spiritual power would likely have advanced further, making it possible to fuse with this unprecedented million-year spirit.
However, it would be best to test the spirit system first and gain experience. When the time was right, he could consider fusing a spirit for his second martial soul, the Purple Brilliant Thunder Prison Dragon.
Or return to Moon Pivot Island and try it on his direct subordinates.
With that in mind, Xu Zihuang took out a pendant necklace and a golden bracelet engraved with gorgeous patterns from his storage soul guidance device.
The golden bracelet was a level-6 invincible barrier he had recently crafted in his dormitory.
The necklace, meanwhile, shimmered with a silvery-white glow, its central pendant a small, exquisite golden pair of wings exactly the shape of the angelic wings that appeared behind Ye Guyi when she released her Radiant Holy Angel martial soul.
A level-6 soul guidance device: Milk Bottle.
Compared to the ordinary level-6 milk bottles he had previously sold at the Aodu Auction House, he had put far more effort into this pendant necklace. Every component and core array had been refined to perfection.
Although it was only a level-6 soul guidance device, most level-7 soul engineers would not necessarily be able to replicate it.
Crafted from top-tier rare metals, these two soul guidance devices were far more luxurious and dazzling than ordinary jewelry. The visual appeal and practicality of such rare metals far surpassed those of common gemstones.
"Sister Lingyi, these two level-6 soul guidance devices are a level-6 milk bottle and a level-6 invincible barrier. With these, I'll feel more at ease about your trip."
Ye Guyi's gaze lingered on the two devices for a moment before returning to Xu Zihuang. Her golden eyes, filled with tenderness, revealed an inexplicable smile.
"Since they're gifts for me, shouldn't you put them on me yourself?"
Her red lips curved slightly as she extended her slender jade hand toward Xu Zihuang. Her five long, fair fingers, white as spring onions, hung in a gentle arc.
Xu Zihuang had no choice but to take the hint. He gently held her wrist with one hand and slipped the golden bracelet onto her with the other. The golden bracelet slid across her delicate skin, glowing faintly before perfectly fitting into place.
Then Ye Guyi tilted her head back slightly, indicating for him to put the necklace on her.
It had to be said that these two soul guidance devices perfectly complemented Ye Guyi's flawless white skin and her soft, golden, long hair.
The small golden wing pendant slipped down into the deep valley between her breasts, perfectly aligning with the golden wing-shaped mark on her chest.
Xu Zihuang's eyelid twitched involuntarily.
Ye Guyi, however, remained perfectly composed. But in the next second, she suddenly grabbed Xu Zihuang's wrist without warning and guided his hand to cover both the golden wing mark and the pendant.
Caught off guard, Xu Zihuang felt the smooth, warm sensation beneath his palm and froze in place.
Immediately after, Ye Guyi stood up abruptly and leaned in close.
Deep purple eyes met golden ones, each reflecting only the other. Shock filled Xu Zihuang's gaze, while Ye Guyi's eyes held only tenderness and deep affection. Her long eyelashes brushed against his cheek. She was completely lost in the moment.
A moment later, Xu Zihuang unconsciously licked his lips. The sweet, moist sensation on them proved that everything that had just happened was real. His right wrist was still firmly held by Ye Guyi.
"Sister Lingyi…" he murmured dryly.
As if she knew exactly what was on his mind, Ye Guyi whispered, "Zihuang, we feel the same way, don't we?"
Xu Zihuang naturally understood what she meant. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Ye Guyi tightened her grip on his wrist slightly, smiling.
"Zihuang, why do you think you can attract those young girls but not me? The memories from childhood are deep, but ten years have passed. We are no longer the children we once were."
Seeing that Xu Zihuang still looked hesitant, Ye Guyi responded with action.
From the moment he showed no resistance, she had received the answer she wanted. Now, all she needed to do was firmly erase that final barrier in his heart through her actions.
Overwhelming possessiveness and long-suppressed emotions caused Ye Guyi, who had started as the active one, to completely surrender. And Xu Zihuang gradually took the lead. This time, his right hand no longer needed her guidance; it moved purely on emotion and instinct.
Outside the window, the silver moon drifted and hid behind clouds. Inside the room, shadows overlapped.
After a long while, strands of moonlight spilled down. Two tightly pressed figures leaned against the window frame, gazing at the night view of Mingdu in the distance.
Ye Guyi's cheeks were slightly flushed as she rested her head on Xu Zihuang's shoulder; their height difference fit perfectly. Having calmed down somewhat, she looked at his profile, blinked, and said softly, "Zihuang, you seem quite experienced."
Xu Zihuang gave a wry smile, momentarily at a loss for words. He couldn't exactly tell her right now that he had already tried this once before with Ning Tian, could he?
It wasn't that he wanted to hide it on purpose; it just didn't feel like the right time. He would confess eventually, but not now.
Seeing his expression, Ye Guyi thought he was still conflicted. With a flash of light, she took out a blue-purple crystal ring engraved with a Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon from her storage soul guidance device.
Xu Zihuang's gaze focused.
"This is…"
"This was given to me by Aunt Qing. It's a pair with the one Uncle Xu wears." Ye Guyi handed the ring to Xu Zihuang, a look of reminiscence in her eyes.
"When we were little, Aunt Qing once teased me, asking if I wanted to marry you when I grew up. I agreed without thinking, and she gave me this ring."
After saying that, her gaze fell on Xu Zihuang again, silent.
But Xu Zihuang understood her implication perfectly. He took the initiative to slide the ring onto the middle finger of her right hand.
She really knew exactly what she was doing.
Ye Guyi lowered her head, smiling as she admired her hand for a moment, then wrapped her arms around Xu Zihuang's waist.
"Are you going back tonight?"
Though emotionally she wanted him to stay, rationally she couldn't be so willful. Xu Zihuang's identity at Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy was too sensitive; he was being watched by who-knows-how-many eyes.
Compared to this brief moment of tenderness, she refused to let him fall into danger because of her.
"Sister Lingyi, I'll come back tomorrow morning to see you off," Xu Zihuang said seriously.
Ye Guyi showed no dissatisfaction and nodded.
"That works too. After I meet Elder Wang and settle things with Elder Bai and the others, I'll apply to enter Shrek Academy's inner court. I remember you still have one year left of your exchange at Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, right? I'll come find you in a year. That'll give me time to go into seclusion and break through the level-70 bottleneck."
Ye Guyi's Radiant Holy Angel martial soul was of even higher quality than Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire Phoenix. With Old Yi's help, she had killed many evil soul masters over the years. At just twenty years old, her soul power had reached level 69.
Such terrifying talent within Shrek Academy's inner court, probably only Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao could compare.
Of course, that was excluding Xu Zihuang himself.
Hearing her words, Xu Zihuang couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. Still, he didn't try to stop her; some things couldn't be avoided. He then took out the two skull bones he had: the skull bone from a 30,000-year Fear Demon Dragon and the skull bone of nothingness that solidified the Void Light skill.
"Sister Lingyi, please pass this 30,000-year-old Fear Demon Dragon skull bone to Brother Yang. As for this skull bone of nothingness, give it to Nana. Nana's cultivation talent is good, and this skull bone suits her Specter martial soul perfectly. With its boost, she can at least watch each other's backs on the journey."
Nana's talent was considerably better than the remnants of his original Imperial Dragon Soul Mentor Legion, and she was loyal enough. Giving her such a skull bone was no big deal to him.
Ye Guyi smoothly put away the two skull bones and sighed lightly.
"I'll have Nana absorb this skull bone later. Actually, Nana is quite pitiful too."
The two talked a while longer before Xu Zihuang prepared to leave.
But before leaving, he inevitably had to endure another round of Ye Guyi's affectionate demands. To outsiders, Ye Guyi appeared noble and aloof, but in front of Xu Zihuang, she was completely different. Her burning emotions seemed as if they would melt him.
Not long after Xu Zihuang left, Ye Guyi called Nana into the room.
"Mistress." Nana greeted respectfully and obediently. Seeing the faint flush on Ye Guyi's cheeks, her expression turned a little strange.
Ye Guyi pretended to remain calm as she took Nana's hand and said helplessly, "Nana, how many times have I told you we should treat each other as sisters?"
"Yes," Nana answered as naturally as always. But Ye Guyi knew her words had gone in one ear and out the other.
She gave up persuading her and directly handed Nana the skull bone of nothingness.
Before Nana could refuse, Ye Guyi repeated Nana's own words back to her: since Nana had acknowledged them as her masters, she had to obey their orders.
In the end, Nana had no choice but to accept and went to the next room to absorb the skull bone.
The door closed softly. Ye Guyi lay down on the bed, her gaze misty as she gently caressed her body. Her skin, smooth and white as lamb-fat jade, glowed faintly. Her exquisite curves were accentuated beneath her golden dress.
Recalling all the memories with Xu Zihuang from their childhood, a sense of indescribable pleasure arose in her heart from breaking a taboo.
Just as she had said earlier, Xu Zihuang felt the same.
Due to their close companionship during childhood, both subconsciously regarded each other as family.
If they had grown up together from childhood to adulthood without separation, they might not have ended up with too much familiarity, like Beibei and Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan.
But their situation was different. After being apart for ten years, they reunited as adults. The closeness and trust remained, but those ten years had provided a buffer.
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